COMMERCIAL DESCRIPTIONAged in the third-use barrels that were once home to Kentucky bourbon and then our renowned Bourbon County Stout, this traditional English-style barleywine possesses the subtlety of flavor that only comes from a barrel that’s gone through many seasons of ritual care. The intricacies of the previous barrel denizens – oak, charcoal, hints of tobacco and vanilla, and that signature bourbon heat – are all present in this beer. Hearty and complex, Bourbon County Brand Barleywine is a titan and a timeline; a bold, flavorful journey through the craft of barrel aging.

12 oz bottle into a tulip.
A: Pours a murky dark brown color. Practically no head is formed - there isn’t even much of a collar. The ’head’ is off-white color, I guess. It doesn’t look like much at all, but given what this beer is, it’s a moot point.
S: And right before, sweet bourbon character hits the nostrils immediately. Vanilla, coconut, oak; you name it, it’s here. Here, it’s backed by a wonderful dark fruit aroma and (slightly) lesser chocolate notes. This smells like it will be one of the best dessert beers ever.
T: Holy frig. The opening flavors are heavy in vanilla, coconut, and bourbon. But that finish...dear lord, dat finish - what a vibrant explosion of dark fruit goodness. The finish becomes more caramel-forward as it gradually opens up. There’s a slight booze note post-swallow and it’s hardly a distraction. Some slight barrel comes through here, too. This brew has a lot to offer in terms of complexity and flavor, with everything easily distinct yet harmonious and well balanced (if rather sweet - hey, it’s a barleywine). In many ways, it’s even better than regular BCBS.
M: The secret here is how much smoother it is than most in the style. Even with a faint alcoholic bite, it’s wonderfully soft yet with a cake-like density. It goes down as easily as a 12% barrel-aged monster can go down.
O: I’ve had a few barrel-aged barleywines before (Sucaba and Insanity spring to mind), but this is so far above those two it’s not even funny. Everything here is brilliantly defined without being moronic. Best barleywine I’ve ever had? More like one of the best beers I’ve ever had.
Curse you, InBev.

2014 on tap at ale mary’s 1 year anniversary. Toffee, dark fruit, vanilla, caramel and strawberry and bug raisin. Appears like coffee with some foam. Tastes of big toffee with raisin and port wine. Palate is ordinary, a little flat. Overall, very good.

Chewy medium heavy mouth feel
Light brown shag carlet head over tar black body
Poured in a snifter from 2013 Vintage bottle
Pays to cellar in the resulting age is ripe with
sweet chocolate notes that blend well with the bourbon,
molasses, & subdued cherry

Smells heavily of bourbon, caramel, vanilla, and sugar. Low carbonation with a natural fizz. Taste is bourbon, alcohol, raisins, sweet caramel, and vanilla with an aftertaste of about 8-14 seconds. There is a bit of an alcohol bite.

Bottle shared by a friend. Clear brown pour with a thin tan head. Aroma of malt, caramel, brown sugar and bourbon. Caramel and toffee flavor along with malt and some brown sugar. Light hop flavor with some oak before a bourbon finish.

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